Forward osmosis device, and forward osmosis method

Abstract

A forward osmosis apparatus is improved. A forward osmosis apparatus, comprising a diluting means for bringing a feed solution and a draw solution comprising a cation source and an anion source in an ionized state into contact through a semi-permeable membrane and diluting the draw solution with water separated from the feed solution by means of the semi-permeable membrane;a separating means for separating the draw solution that has been diluted by the diluting means into the cation source and anion source and into water; anda dissolving means, returning the cation source and the anion source that have been separated by the separating means to, and dissolving the cation source and anion source in, the draw solution that has been diluted;wherein the molecular weight of the cation source in an uncharged state is 31 or greater and the Henry's law constant of each of the anion source and cation source is 1.0×104 (Pa / mol·fraction) or greater in a standard state.

Description

[0001]The present application is a Divisional Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13 / 827,047, filed Mar. 14, 2013, which is a Continuation Application of PCT / JP2011 / 072261, filed Sep. 28, 2011 and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Japanese Patent Application No. 218911 / 2010, filed Sep. 29, 2010, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.[0002]The present invention relates to a forward osmosis process (FO process) and to a forward osmosis apparatus (FO apparatus) capable of conducting separation and / or concentration by this FO process.BACKGROUND ART[0003]Water shortages have become a serious problem in arid regions of the world and in regions of high population density. Accordingly, there is a need for desalination technology that removes salt from seawater.[0004]Membrane processing methods are a known desalination technology. In membrane processing methods, semi-permeable membranes are generally employed. Semi-permeable membranes are known as membranes...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an apparatus and process for FO that helps to maintain a high permeation rate, prevent leakage of draw solution solute, reduce the quantity of solute remaining in water, and enhance stripping performance. This means that the FO apparatus and process can be used without replacing the solute components in the draw solution.

Problems solved by technology

Water shortages have become a serious problem in arid regions of the world and in regions of high population density.

When these requirements are not met, there will be problems in the FO apparatus or FO process in that the rate of permeation through the semi-permeable membrane by water from the feed solution will be poor; the solute in the draw solution will end up leaking through the semi-permeable membrane and migrating to the feed solution side, speeding up the rate; and the quantity of draw solution solute (stripping performance) remaining in the water obtained by volatilizing the solute component from the draw solution that has been diluted with water from the feed solution will be large.

However, none fully combining the above high volatility, high solubility, and property of not passing through semi-permeable membranes has yet been obtained.

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